FAIR CANCELED
Annual Saratoga County event postponed for first time since Civil War
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. » For the first time since the Civil War, and only the second time since it began to operate in 1841, the Saratoga County Fair was canceled, a decision that was announced on Friday because of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The annual event, which had been scheduled for July 21-26, is now scheduled to return July 20-25, 2021.
“In light of the spread of COVID-19, the Board of Directors has been closely monitoring CDC recommendations, updates to the New York State on PAUSE executive order, and recommendations of state and local health authorities as they pertain to large event gatherings scheduled for the summertime,” a press release provided by Susan Rhoades, Executive Director, Saratoga County Agricultural Society, Saratoga County Fair.
“Based on this guidance and careful consideration, the Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel the 179th Saratoga County Fair.”
Conducted by the Saratoga County Agricultural Society, the Saratoga County Fair is one of the oldest fairs in New York state.
“With 4-H exhibits, entertainment and music, crowd favorite fair foods, a large amusement midway, and the County’s finest animals and competitions, there is something for
everyone to enjoy. Since August 2019, the Fair’s 21-person volunteer Board of Directors has been diligently planning for the 2020 Fair to make it the County’s biggest and best, yet,” the release noted.
“While the Fair’s mission is to provide an annual educational experience in agriculture to the diverse population of our region, the health and safety of our our patrons, volunteers, and surrounding communities are a top priority. See you at the 2021 Saratoga County Fair!”
The news comes on a day when Saratoga County Health Department Services reported 355 total positive cases in the county, with 11 of those individuals hospitalized. There are 81 current cases, while a total of 260 individuals have recovered from positive cases.
To date, 188 county residents (39 currently) are listed as suspected positives.
There have been a reported 1,117 individuals (119 currently) under mandatory quarantine and an additional 70 (4 currently) under precautionary quarantine. There have been 14 confirmed deaths as well.
Of the 355 positive cases, 77 have come from Clifton Park, with 52 coming from Halfmoon. Saratoga Springs is next with 39, while 28 positive cases have come from Wilton. There have been 25 cases in Malta, with 17 in Milton.
Also having reported positive cases are Mechanicville (16), town of Ballston (14), Northumberland (14), Moreau (12), Greenfield (10), town of Waterford (7), Ballston Spa (6), Stillwater (6), Galway (5), Schuylerville (5), South Glens Falls (5), town of Corinth (4), town of Saratoga (4), Round Lake (3), Charlton (2), Providence (2), Hadley (1) and Waterford (1).
Updated Saratoga County COVID-19 information can be found at https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/publichealth/covid19/
In addition, the New York State Department of Health reported that 5,210 county residents have been tested through April 30.